Blade-guard woes lead to Craftsman saw recall

WASHINGTON – A Missouri company is recalling about 3.7 million Craftsman brand radial arm saws sold over the last 40 years because of about 300 reports of severe injuries caused by incompletely guarded blades.

Emerson Tool Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is recalling the saws because they were sold without a guard that covers the entire blade, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday. Injuries caused by contact with the blade or by wood kicked back by the saw include hand and finger amputations; cut and broken hands and fingers; and facial injuries.

The recalled Craftsman 8-, 81/4-, 9- and 10-inch radial arm saws have a model number beginning with 113, usually located on the base of the saw. The brand name “Craftsman” and the store name “Sears” are written on the saws.